Yan Cha knew this Supreme Lord wasn’t directing his tantrum at her but simply felt too embarrassed to look at the person beside him, so she merely smiled and sighed.

However, the scene appeared quite different to someone watching from a distance.

Exchanging glances, conversing pleasantly, Zhen Huan Gong caught glimpses of Yan Cha’s direction from the corner of his eye, his expression growing increasingly dark.

What urgent matter would make her leave his side at such a crucial moment to seek out Kan Ze?

Among the Five Great Immortal Sects, Li Ye was the one Zhen Huan Gong hated most, with Kan Ze taking second place. That fellow appeared refined on the surface but was deeply calculating, always using his gentle appearance to deceive young ladies. And Yan Cha was so oblivious, always eager to approach him.

He wasn’t angry—couldn’t be angry. This was merely a false phoenix playing at love. Caring too much would make it seem like he was pursuing her.

Taking a deep breath, Zhen Huan Gong withdrew his sidelong glance and lowered his head, refusing to look anymore.

A moment later, Yan Cha returned with Kan Qi. The tongue spirit bird greeted Er’er with familiarity: “Greetings, Immortal.”

Er’er was drowsy and struggled to lift her eyelids: “Mm.”

…

…

Kan Qi knelt beside her, placing a hand cushion and silk handkerchief on her table. Er’er understood, placing her hand upon them, unable to suppress another yawn.

Kan Qi only felt her pulse briefly before withdrawing his hand.

“Why hasn’t Supreme Lord Li Ye come today?” the tongue spirit bird asked from his shoulder.

With half-closed eyes, Er’er replied, “He’s at Mount Buzhou. Said he encountered some interesting small beasts, so he sent someone ahead with rare beasts for my senior sister while he stays for two more days.”

The tongue spirit bird hesitantly spoke: “Before leaving, did Supreme Lord Li Ye check your pulse?”

“Why would he do that?” Er’er muttered. “He’s not a physician.”

Smiling in sudden realization, Kan Qi unexpectedly invited Long Xu, who was sitting nearby, to join them.

“Princess, if you have a request for Supreme Lord Li Ye, go give him this joyous news. In his happiness, he will surely grant your wish.”

The Western Sea Dragon King was still imprisoned at the Heavenly Gate. Though Long Xu hated him, she didn’t wish for his death, so she had been hesitating about how to plead with Li Ye. Hearing Kan Qi’s words, Long Xu was stunned and turned to look at Er’er: “You?”

Er’er was confused: “Me?”

“Immortal Er’er is carrying an immortal child, already more than two months along,” the tongue spirit bird enunciated each word.

Er’er: “…”

Everyone: “…”

The Lord of the Nine Heavens, pregnant with an immortal child.

This news was so momentous that the clinking of cups and plates at the banquet suddenly ceased.

Er’er was dumbfounded. She and Li Ye had been together for several hundred years without ever considering this possibility—partly because she still had a childlike nature, and partly because Li Ye had never mentioned offspring. She had assumed immortals rarely conceived.

This sudden revelation made her want to laugh but also feel afraid.

An immortal child, born with immortal bones—what would be born from this?

Seeing her rigid expression, Long Xu and Yan Cha quickly reacted. Yan Cha swiftly removed unsuitable food from her table and called for soup to be brought. Long Xu squeezed Er’er’s hand and said softly, “I’ll go find Supreme Lord Li Ye.”

The young girl was clearly panicking but dared not show it before so many people. She only smiled and maintained composure, her body tense. At this moment, only Li Ye’s quick return could ease her tension.

Long Xu first went to Mount Buzhou but couldn’t find a trace of Li Ye despite searching the entire mountain range. Puzzled, she found the local earth deity to inquire, who said: “Supreme Lord Li Ye came to catch rare beasts three days ago, but he only stayed for an hour before heading toward the Eastern Sea.”

Her heart sank as Long Xu looked eastward.

The four great seas—east, west, south, and north—were all under Dragon Clan jurisdiction. Blood ties among the Dragon Clan were extremely close, which was why her father had been able to easily gather over a hundred dragons to attack Taihe Immortal Sect several hundred years ago. Er’er had always been reluctant to declare war against the Dragon Clan because pulling one thread would affect the entire fabric.

But they had all forgotten that Supreme Lord Li Ye excelled most at slaughter. Even though he had been with Er’er for hundreds of years without touching the Phoenix-Slaying Blade, his cultivation had already transcended boundaries, beyond the five elements.

If he decided to act, even the blood ties of thousands of dragons would be useless.

Long Xu rushed stumbling to the Eastern Sea.

Indeed, the sea breeze was already filled with the scent of dragon blood. Hundreds and thousands of dragon corpses were piled along the shore, forming a dam blocking the surging waters from reaching nearby cities.

Li Ye stood on a reef holding the Phoenix-Slaying Blade, his red robe blazing like fire, golden crows circling around him. Divine flames burned on the nearby sea surface, refusing to be extinguished despite the crashing waves.

“Die or submit?” he asked for the thousand and first time.

The Eastern Sea Dragon King knelt before him, his face filled with anger, but his eyes already consumed by fear.

How unreasonable—what immortal could possess such a strong killing aura? Those were precious dragons, killing so many… shouldn’t he fear heavenly punishment?

Oh, he had forgotten—the Dragon Clan had declared opposition to the Nine Heavens, so even heavenly punishment wouldn’t help them.

His thoughts in chaos, the Eastern Sea Dragon King remained silent. The man before him grew impatient, the blade of the Phoenix-Slaying Sword beginning to gleam.

“Supreme Lord!” Long Xu hurriedly called out to stop him.

Li Ye paused, the killing intent in his eyes receding slightly—but only slightly—and he did not loosen his grip on the sword.

“Does she know I’m here?” he asked.

Long Xu shook her head, taking two steps in three to approach him. Glancing at the few Dragon Kings still alive, she pressed her lips together and said, “Little Immortal found her own way here. Immortal Er’er doesn’t know about this. There are urgent matters in the Nine Heavens requiring your swift return.”

Li Ye laughed lightly: “Then stand aside. The quicker I finish here, the sooner I can return.”

Her scalp tingling with fear, Long Xu shook her head: “Dragon bloodlines are rare and the only race that can subdue the seas. Please, Supreme Lord, spare some lives.”

“Are you trying to stop me?” Li Ye smiled without humor.

Her blood froze momentarily as Long Xu hurriedly said, “Excessive killing harms one’s karma. Right now, Immortal Er’er is with child—this is a time to accumulate blessings. Please reconsider, Supreme Lord.”

“No matter how much I reconsider, they still deserve death,” Li Ye said coldly. “Er’er has spared them for hundreds of years with no good result.”

With that, he brushed Long Xu aside and prepared to continue.

But as his hand holding the blade rose, he stopped.

Slowly replaying Long Xu’s words in his mind, Li Ye’s eyes shifted, the crimson color fading, gradually replaced by bewilderment.

“What did you say?” he turned to look at Long Xu.

Long Xu steadied herself and repeated loudly: “Immortal Er’er is with child, waiting for you at Zhen clan’s celebration banquet.”

Li Ye: “…”

One moment, the Dragon Kings were trembling like lambs awaiting slaughter on the reef; the next, they felt like golden koi being swiftly tucked into a sleeve as he soared toward the Nine Heavens.

“Spare our lives, Supreme Lord!” the Eastern Sea Dragon King finally wailed. “We are willing to submit to the Nine Heavens again and cause no more trouble. Please let us return to the sea to manage the aftermath.”

Li Ye didn’t hear a word.

He stared fixedly ahead, his form swift as lightning, piercing through to the Nine Heavens in the blink of an eye.